Eugene vs. Corvallis?

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by Deserter

I'm hoping the fact that I speak Spanish and have experience working with English learners will help me get hired in OR. I keep reading people talking about the influx of immigrants to the state.

What are the factors that make you rate Corvallis so much higher than Eugene? Traffic? Air quality? Or?

mod cut(English only)

I would rate Corvallis considerably higher on overall livability. It has better schools, WAY better city planning, less crime and better air and water quality than Eugene. Also better outdoor recreation opportunities. It is a perfect size and because of the university, it has many of the amenities one would find in a much larger city. Corvallis is off the I-5 corridor. That makes it unattractive for the establishment of heavy industry and at the same time, gives the place a special hometown quality that enhances livability. People there also have the neighborliness and openess characteristic of folks in smaller cities. The proportion of the citizenry that is well-educated in Corvallis is astoundingly high (perhaps not surprising considering that the university, Hewlett Packard, CH2M Hill and Good Samaritan Hospital are the major employers). It is politically progressive without the anachronistic hippie die-hards that are trying to hold on to the '60's in Eugene. It is also much more centrally located: Eugene to the south, Albany to the east, Salem and Portland to the north. Eugene is really the southernmost city in the Willamette Valley and there isn't much south of there until you get to the Rogue River Valley.
The best things about Eugene are easily experienced by visiting on day trips. The best things about Corvallis are only experienced by living there.

[Deserter]

mod cut(English only)

Really the main reasons for leaning towards Eugene are more job opportunities (I hope) and my fiancee's affection for cities. (He grew up in Houston and lived in Sacramento.) Plus, I find those "anachronistic hippie die-hards" kind of cute. Eugene didn't appear to be too congested when we visited but maybe we didn't see the problem areas.



On the negative side for Eugene, I've never lived in a city only suburbs of them. I'm also mildly asthmatic.



Corvallis is lovely, but how far will I need to travel to find work? With all the highly-qualified competition, I'm not sure I could get hired.



Thanks for your input, Steve. I find your posts to be always informative and reasonable.